GRCS, Good Rigging Control System

TreeCo · 30th January 2007, 04:35 PM

I've had one for a few years and bought my first Hobbs Lowering Device from Don Blair back in 1990.

Drouin Tree Service · 30th January 2007, 07:12 PM

Yeah i wouldnt mind a GCRS,have a willow tree tommorow thats got a limb horizontal over a building could come in useful on them sorts of jobs.

jim1nz · 30th January 2007, 07:24 PM

Have used a Hobbs in a speedline situation, excellent tool.

Great for;

- Smooth controlled lowering
- Tightening the lowering system to reduce dynamic loading
- Cranking branches up while tip tying
- Tightening the main line while speedlining

Thats all i can think of off the top of my head.

Drouin Tree Service · 30th January 2007, 07:49 PM

This is great having a truely international tree forum!!

Iorek · 31st January 2007, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeCo

I've had one for a few years and bought my first Hobbs Lowering Device from Don Blair back in 1990.

I called into to see Don one day at his house in Big Pool, Maryland, a few years back. Unfortunately he was not there, seemingly out on the west coast doin some important sh*t. But there was a woman who was shuttin up the office/shop for the day. And i pretty much begged her to let me in to see all the gear in the basement and maybe buy some stuff.

It was like descending into Aladdin's cave!

Ropes a plenty, harnesses a go go, hardware, software, rigging, biners, spikes, you name it I saw it with my big eyes. Due to my meagre cash flow, I ended up just buying a pair of Bashlin spikes and Shigo's A New Tree Biology with the stupid little dictionary that came with it. It turned out to be a hellishly unreadable book! I always regretted not buying Don's Arborist Equipment, which is a great book even now with all it's little anecdotes about the Euc man and The Oak man. In case any of you are wondering, I am a Oak man with Euc tendencies. Pretty much like you guys I would suspect.

Still, shame Don wasn't around to talk to. Any of you guys met him?

TreeCo · 31st January 2007, 02:07 AM

I've met Don a dozen or two times, the first time being in 1988.

Iorek · 31st January 2007, 02:45 AM

Well is that all you have to say about him? that you met him in 88!!?
A dozen or so times!
Not very interesting is it?
Maybe not much was said?
C'mon Dan, gives some more info, Yes?

TreeCo · 31st January 2007, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iorek

Well is that all you have to say about him? that you met him in 88!!?
A dozen or so times!
Not very interesting is it?
Maybe not much was said?
C'mon Dan, gives some more info, Yes?

He's an interesting fellow and I think a lot of him.

Eric Frei · 3rd February 2007, 10:56 PM

This is home made job using 2 speed lewmar 44 sail winch

Sean Freeman · 3rd February 2007, 11:20 PM

Nice looking set up Ekka how do you decide on SWL for lifts? Within the limits of the rigging line I'm quessing.

SF

TreeCo · 4th February 2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

This is home made job using 2 speed lewmar 44 sail winch

Very nice.

Eric Frei · 4th February 2007, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boa07

Nice looking set up Ekka how do you decide on SWL for lifts? Within the limits of the rigging line I'm quessing.

SF

Yeah that's a tough one, common sense would be appropriate.

What's the GRCS good for on lifts, be same wouldn't it, same sort of winch. I suppose never winched up more than 500kg. It's Blackies not mine, but nice to use, when tops come out you can pull in the slack ... very smooth and no shock load.

emr · 7th February 2007, 11:38 AM

http://www.karlkuemmerling.com/prod20.htm

Check out the first two brakes, any thoughts? Price is nice. I have never used a GRCS or a Hobbs, do you think this would be a good way to get into something like those?

P.S. Good job on the site Ekka.

kauriman · 7th February 2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

This is home made job using 2 speed lewmar 44 sail winch

That looks great Ekka. How much did it cost to make? and did you make it?

We have a Hobbs but the GRCS would be excellent. A little more user friendly.

Eric Frei · 7th February 2007, 09:28 PM

I didn't make it it's another guys.

Not that hard to make, the expensive part is the winch, try ebay and yachting places maybe for a second hand one.

The winch will run up between $1K and $1.8K, then some channel and strap + weld.

jim1nz · 7th February 2007, 10:01 PM

You could get an electric one for that much Ekka, just need a long cable and a big alternater in ya truck!

TreeCo · 8th February 2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1nz

You could get an electric one for that much Ekka, just need a long cable and a big alternater in ya truck!

Years ago Don Blair had a hydraulic powered bollard on the front of his truck. It was powered by the power steering pump and was quite interesting. I saw it at a seminar he was teaching.

jim1nz · 8th February 2007, 08:57 AM

I have just finished Engineering a PTO driven one for the front of mine, it was a but of a mission but it works fantastic. Oh sorry its not a bollard, just a drum so you have to lower pieces with the truck...

With a PTO drive you can just use that to power a hydraulic pump for a similar set up as Dons, not much extra work but hydraulic pumps dont go cheep...

Got some 11mm amsteel rope, beaut to work with and soo strong

Jeff Darby · 20th March 2007, 01:57 PM

bump

TREE-SURFER · 21st March 2007, 10:02 AM

Hey Ekka, you got any blueprints for that???????

Eric Frei · 21st March 2007, 10:34 PM

Just buy a lewmar #44 double action sail winch, fabricate the rest.

The winch is the killer!

If you can afford it and avoid the head aches ... GRCS man.

Tim Craig · 11th April 2007, 09:12 AM

I've used the Hobbs a few times, I liked it.

Very different feel from the Portawrap III which is what I use for just about all my rigging.

Having said that I like the original Portawrap as well, it seems to be more adaptable to different rope diameters than the Portawrap III.

I also use a Mini Portwrap III for small rigging jobs. Have to use 13 mm rope. Sometimes the friction is too much for the miniature barrel. I've even had the rope melt onto ther barrel as a result of not letting the piece run.

Does anyone here use the GRCS on a daily or weekly basis?

I've seen the GRCS up close but never used it, how does it compare to the Hobbs?

It looks less robust than the Hobbs

Eric Frei · 11th April 2007, 03:23 PM

That GRCS is tough, did you see fran's video when they bombed a Volvo out of a tree on it?

Quote:

Thank you Frans for organising this and mailing a disk to me (sept 2005. As promised it is now on the net in 2 formats. The video is a professional production and 11.06mins long.

The wmv format is for dial up, lower quality but good enough. 17.93MB

The mpg format is good quality but large with no buffering. 110.76MB

Dont forget to hit stop on the player if it starts stuttering ... that'll give it a chance to download. Also, once fully downloaded I suggest you save it as that'll prevent you from having to wait to download it again.

http://www.palmtreeservices.com.au/v...vshobbswmv.wmv (wmv)

http://www.palmtreeservices.com.au/v...rcsvshobbs.mpg (mpg)

Sean Freeman · 11th April 2007, 03:46 PM

Now that looked like a LOT of fun.......Iwannadosome!

TREE-SURFER · 14th April 2007, 06:29 PM

That would be very useful for an aerial rescue if ya volvo got stuck in a tree..

That's if you wanted to claim that you owned 1.

Good video all the same. Great device, and I would definitely go for the Hobbs.

Kevin · 16th April 2007, 10:21 PM

One huge advantage to having a GRCS is removing badly decayed trees in their entire length without climbing them when you have the conditions that make it possible.
You can set the line from the ground and block it off to another tree, cut it off at the ground or above a roof top and lower the entire tree cutting it off in sections.
I removed three this way this past weekend and it saved a bunch of time, effort, was very controlled and safe.

Scottyfl · 17th April 2007, 10:35 AM

IMO even if you only use it once a month or so it will pay for it self in no time.
Scotty

Eric Frei · 17th April 2007, 07:30 PM

No doubt excellent stuff.

But what about Hobbs? I think the grcs has more lifting power.

Scottyfl · 17th April 2007, 09:01 PM

I'v never used the hobbs myself.
Scotty

TreeCo · 17th April 2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

No doubt excellent stuff.

But what about Hobbs? I think the grcs has more lifting power.

The Hobbs has good lifting power too. I don't own a Hobbs today but I did own one from 1990 until 2001. The problem with the Hobbs is that lifting power is delivered with a 3 foot long bar inserted into the bollard........which is a pita! The two speed hand cranked Harkin winch on the GRCS is much more convient to use.

My GRCS only gets used every couple of weeks but I wouldn't be without it. It gets quite a bit of use pulling trees over in hard to access locations. It is a bugger to carry in though as it is quite heavy.

Both the Hobbs and the GRCS would benefit from some type of fairlead roller. It's a pain setting a block above these devices like must be done whenever they are not loaded from directly overhead.

30th January 2007, 04:35 PM	#1
TreeCo Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 307	GRCS, Good Rigging Control System I've had one for a few years and bought my first Hobbs Lowering Device from Don Blair back in 1990.

30th January 2007, 07:12 PM	#2
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Yeah i wouldnt mind a GCRS,have a willow tree tommorow thats got a limb horizontal over a building could come in useful on them sorts of jobs. __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

31st January 2007, 02:07 AM	#6
TreeCo Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 307	I've met Don a dozen or two times, the first time being in 1988. Last edited by TreeCo; 31st January 2007 at 02:43 AM.

3rd February 2007, 10:56 PM	#9
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,986	This is home made job using 2 speed lewmar 44 sail winch Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

7th February 2007, 09:28 PM	#15
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,986	I didn't make it it's another guys. Not that hard to make, the expensive part is the winch, try ebay and yachting places maybe for a second hand one. The winch will run up between $1K and $1.8K, then some channel and strap + weld. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

30th January 2007, 07:24 PM	#3
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: International, Germany Posts: 473	Have used a Hobbs in a speedline situation, excellent tool. Great for; - Smooth controlled lowering - Tightening the lowering system to reduce dynamic loading - Cranking branches up while tip tying - Tightening the main line while speedlining Thats all i can think of off the top of my head.

30th January 2007, 07:49 PM	#4
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	This is great having a truely international tree forum!! __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

31st January 2007, 02:45 AM	#7
Iorek Former Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ankara, Turkey at the moment Posts: 28	Well is that all you have to say about him? that you met him in 88!!? A dozen or so times! Not very interesting is it? Maybe not much was said? C'mon Dan, gives some more info, Yes?

3rd February 2007, 11:20 PM	#10
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Nice looking set up Ekka how do you decide on SWL for lifts? Within the limits of the rigging line I'm quessing. SF

7th February 2007, 11:38 AM	#13
emr Sappling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 23	http://www.karlkuemmerling.com/prod20.htm Check out the first two brakes, any thoughts? Price is nice. I have never used a GRCS or a Hobbs, do you think this would be a good way to get into something like those? P.S. Good job on the site Ekka.

7th February 2007, 10:01 PM	#16
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: International, Germany Posts: 473	You could get an electric one for that much Ekka, just need a long cable and a big alternater in ya truck!

8th February 2007, 08:57 AM	#18
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: International, Germany Posts: 473	I have just finished Engineering a PTO driven one for the front of mine, it was a but of a mission but it works fantastic. Oh sorry its not a bollard, just a drum so you have to lower pieces with the truck... With a PTO drive you can just use that to power a hydraulic pump for a similar set up as Dons, not much extra work but hydraulic pumps dont go cheep... Got some 11mm amsteel rope, beaut to work with and soo strong

20th March 2007, 01:57 PM	#19
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,056	bump __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

21st March 2007, 10:02 AM	#20
TREE-SURFER Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Isle of Man,UK. Posts: 332	Hey Ekka, you got any blueprints for that??????? __________________ The Aerial Arborist Isle of Man Tree Surgeon\| All Aspects of Tree Work What experts say about TOPPING

21st March 2007, 10:34 PM	#21
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,986	Just buy a lewmar #44 double action sail winch, fabricate the rest. The winch is the killer! If you can afford it and avoid the head aches ... GRCS man. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

11th April 2007, 09:12 AM	#22
Tim Craig Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 130	I've used the Hobbs a few times, I liked it. Very different feel from the Portawrap III which is what I use for just about all my rigging. Having said that I like the original Portawrap as well, it seems to be more adaptable to different rope diameters than the Portawrap III. I also use a Mini Portwrap III for small rigging jobs. Have to use 13 mm rope. Sometimes the friction is too much for the miniature barrel. I've even had the rope melt onto ther barrel as a result of not letting the piece run. Does anyone here use the GRCS on a daily or weekly basis? I've seen the GRCS up close but never used it, how does it compare to the Hobbs? It looks less robust than the Hobbs

11th April 2007, 03:46 PM	#24
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Now that looked like a LOT of fun.......Iwannadosome!

14th April 2007, 06:29 PM	#25
TREE-SURFER Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Isle of Man,UK. Posts: 332	That would be very useful for an aerial rescue if ya volvo got stuck in a tree.. That's if you wanted to claim that you owned 1. Good video all the same. Great device, and I would definitely go for the Hobbs. __________________ The Aerial Arborist Isle of Man Tree Surgeon\| All Aspects of Tree Work What experts say about TOPPING

16th April 2007, 10:21 PM	#26
Kevin Sappling Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 18	One huge advantage to having a GRCS is removing badly decayed trees in their entire length without climbing them when you have the conditions that make it possible. You can set the line from the ground and block it off to another tree, cut it off at the ground or above a roof top and lower the entire tree cutting it off in sections. I removed three this way this past weekend and it saved a bunch of time, effort, was very controlled and safe.

17th April 2007, 10:35 AM	#27
Scottyfl Sappling Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Deltona Fl. Posts: 25	IMO even if you only use it once a month or so it will pay for it self in no time. Scotty

17th April 2007, 07:30 PM	#28
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,986	No doubt excellent stuff. But what about Hobbs? I think the grcs has more lifting power. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

17th April 2007, 09:01 PM	#29
Scottyfl Sappling Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Deltona Fl. Posts: 25	I'v never used the hobbs myself. Scotty

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